Category Archives: Theme Camps

[bra_dropcaps style=’dropcap2′]T[/bra_dropcaps]he writing is on the wall — Kamp Kraken has stretched its tentacular theme camp presence beyond the confines of the Paddock and shown how to make Burning Seed more than just one week in a land far far away.

For the past two years, Kraken has donated 10% of what it has fundraised during that year to a chosen charity. The Theme Camp kicked off this initative in 2013 with a donation to the Wiradjuri wall project, which was recently completed and unveiled.

Birth of an idea

The idea was first proposed by one of the Krew, dashing Dan Ducrou, who hopes to see more Theme Camps do the same.

“I proposed the idea in recognition of the fact that many of the wonderful people who make up Kamp Kraken want to make a positive impact on the people and communities around them. We are so lucky to have the time, freedom and access to resources that we do – why not harness a portion of this abundance and feed it back into the local community?” says Dan.

“I hope this is something other Theme Camps pick up on in their own fundraising ventures. Burning Seed is such an enriching, revitalising, delicious experience for all of us – we all get so much out of it – how easy and rewarding it can be to give back.”

Enter the Wiradjuri project

The Wiradjuri wall was a local community project that involved Wiradjuri elders and youth producing a public artwork in the heart of the Narrandera township. The wall was a way to honour the Aboriginal cultural history of Narrandera shire and create a beautiful public space where special musical and cultural performances could occur.

Why did Kraken decide to share this particular TENtacle moment with the Wiradjuri project?

“We chose to support the Wiradjuri Memorial Wall out of respect for the Traditional Owners, the Wiradjuri, on whose land Burning Seed takes place. We wanted to support something that involved local community members, something that would have lasting impact and something that elevated recognition of the Wiradjuri in the Narrandera township,” says Dan.

“We also flew the Aboriginal flag above Kamp Kraken for the duration of the event – the flag was given to me by a Wurundjeri Elder (Traditional Owner of the greater Melbourne area) in the lead up to Burning Seed – and presented the following hand written note to the Wiradjuri Elder who Welcomed us onto his country.”

Today, we are meeting, partying, dancing and sleeping on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri. For this we give thanks and pay our respects.

In being here, we acknowledge and are sorry for the deep hurt and suffering caused by white settlement.

We are sorry for the loss of language and culture, for the children taken from families under racist government policies, and for the cultural disinterest of broader Australia. We are sorry for the ongoing disparity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that is born of structural exclusion, racism, dispossession and indifference.

We visit Wiradjuri country in the spirit of friendship. We hope to be part of a healing generation that openly acknowledges past wrongs, whilst searching for ways to build positive relationships and contribute to the local community.

In line with this year’s Burning Seed theme of ‘Re:Creation’, Kamp Kraken is proud to be contributing $800 to the Wiradjuri Memorial Wall – a local community project that will see Wiradjuri Elders and youth produce a public artwork in the heart of the Narrandera township.

This money was gathered through Kamp Kraken fundraising efforts in Melbourne, in the lead up to Burning Seed 2013.

[bra_dropcaps style=’dropcap2′]B[/bra_dropcaps]ean Bag Babylon was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar when I met them. From these humble yet worthy origins, BBB has grown into a behemoth of beat-fuelled be-jesusness that sets a benchmark for Theme Camp awesome at Burning Seed.

And now the folks at BBB have brought their dome’s atmos and vibe to Melbourne with a new club night — the Babylon Boutique — capturing the intimate, colourful and friendly nature of one of Seed’s most loved and iconic Theme Camps. Best of all, it has a VERY late/early license (6am). Melbourne.just.got.cool.

Babylon Boutique debuted on Saturday 9 May at the Korova Milk Bar with two floors chock a block full of Paddock favourites and new faces. The BBBers are all pretty chuffed, with BBB G (aka Sam Gibbard) taking time out from his hectic theme campery to say: We’re very happy with how it went — always brilliant to bring a bit of Burning Man culture to the CBD.”

For those who missed out this time around, don’t despair!! The Babylon Boutique are hoping to make this a regular night in Melbs, supporting BBB fundraising efforts and helping those coolest of Theme Camp cats throw free and effing awesome parties at Seed and other events around Australia, spreading the Burner vibe like it’s butter on hot toast.

For more info and receive your next invite, join their BBB Facebook group.

Theme Camp applications

Our illustrious Theme Camp team is keen to see more of last year’s mash-up mayhem, with theatrical camps, food stops, healing spaces, chill pads and acoustic stages rounding out our city’s onnz, oonz, oonz soundscape. This year, applications will close on July 1 so there is more time to plan our cityscape.

Key dates:

April 2: Theme Camp applications open

July 1: Theme Camp applications close

For handy tips and how-tos, check out our online Theme Camp guide. Wanna yak with a Theme Camp sparkle pony? Drop them line at themecamps@burningseed.com

Our team has shown a whole lotta art this year by bringing grant applications forward by a month and increasing the grants – awhhhh, aren’t they great? Now you have more time and mula to share that idea – big or small.

When it comes to the latter, don’t sweat the small stuff – just have a go. At a Burn, you don’t have to be an ‘artist’ to make art – we are all the art and soul of this creative enterprise.

And for those thinking big this year, we’re keen to have more of you onboard too. Our intrepid ARTery teamsters are here to support you by assessing your submissions and helping you realise them. They will also allocate grants during the submission period, rather than waiting till the end of the application process to let people know whether they were successful.

This year, small art grants are up to $1000 and large art grants are up to $5000.

Small art grant application dates:

April 2: small art grant applications open

July 5: small art grant applications close

August 2: all small art grants are finalised

Large art grant application dates:

April 2: large art grant applications open

June 1: large art grant applications close

April 1 – June 28: the ARTery team works with each artist to assess and help realise feasible art works. Art grants will be allocated throughout this period.

June 28: all large art grants are finalised

Please note that if you apply for an art grant, you don’t have to fill out an art registration form as well. The art registration form is only for those who are bringing art but not applying for grants.

It’s almost official. This year’s Burning Seed is set to be one of the greatest Burns in the history of burning ever in the world ever. Our community has gone doolally crazy gangbusters in terms of participation this year, with around 50 (yes fiddy, half-a-ton, 49+1) Theme Camps set to facilitate our playtime on the Paddock.

And while we love us some Sound Camp, we LOVE that you guys are flexing other Theme Camp muscles by creating more healing, theatrical, chill, food and art spaces. Here’s a few tasty teasers to tickle your ‘tashes and tushes:[bra_border_divider top=’10’ bottom=’10’]

Star Shitty

Brazenly billed as James Packer’s worst nightmare brought to life, Star Shitty is keeping a tight wrap on the details of what to expect when it lands for the first time at Seed this year.

Safe to say that this cocky crew of crappy croupiers are likely to bring the tone at Seed down to new and unimainable lows with rumours of human pokies, awkward magicians, filthy bingo, and an all-too-literal space for VIP high-rollers.

This chintzy nightmare has been wrenched from the bowels of the imagination of the MWA, a Sydney-based arts/events crew that embody the principle of participation and community. Are you prepared to gamble your clothes, your dance moves or your dignity? Hop aboard the Star Shitty courtesy bus. It would be rude not to.

Malt Shop Be-Bop Hop Roller Arena

Looking for the best place to find your feet at Seed? Well, this is it. The Malt Shop Be-Bop Hop Roller Arena promises an all-in wild ride of roller skating goodness and it’s literally the most authentic way of achieving your balance at Red Earth City this year.

You’ll be coxed and coaxed by the one and only Tambalamslam, an internationally renowned all-star roller from the Victorian Roller Derby League. Step back from the brink, take it to the rink and lose yourself in the beautiful mayhem of the Malt Shop Be-Bop Hop Roller Arena. Go on! Get your skates on!

The Soupery

These superheroes of soup will be dishing up cupfuls of comfort and nourishment for the Red Earth City community this year (Bring Your Own Cup!). Veteran burners, the Soupery crew will be ladling their lovely selection of liquids from around noon each day, together with bread made on-site and more. The crew saw an opportunity last year to take their love of gifting to the next level with a dedicated Theme Camp at this year’s Seed.

There’ll be flavours to suit every palate, a solar-powered/trike-powered sound system with a vinyl-only set, and in the spirit of participation and self-reliance the Soupery will love you even more if you want to get involved and make a contribution. Are we there yet?

What’s your fave Theme Camp this year? Want to know more? Check out the What Where When for another sneak peek at what’s in store at Burning Seed.